Resolved question:
had a chest cat scan due to a nodule being found for a cat scan looking for a kidney stone. The pulmonary dr I saw ordered the test today. I got the results and I have an apt with her in several weeks. However I am very scared after reading the results and would like for you to shed some light on the results if possible. Here they are:
Small 6 mm plural-based nodule in right middle lobe. Nonspecific 3 mm groundglass nodule density in the right costophrenic angle. Correlation with patients esophagus and followup is suggested warranted.
What does groundglass mean ?
Why correlation with espophagus?
Is this cancer?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Pulmonologist
Hello, Thank you for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com. I understand your concern.
Coming straight away to your problems - Small 6 mm plural-based nodule in right middle lobe. Nonspecific 3 mm groundglass nodule density in the right costophrenic angle. - what is my inference? - well accidentally detected nodules, small in size, but multiple. pleural based ( means located in periphery) No associated symptoms like pain, no other symptoms too.
These are the possibilities for those nodules :
Possibilities - infection ( OLD ONE, AND SETTLED LIKE HISTOPLASMOSIS), an area of absent blood supply( Infarcted area), occupational like asbestosis ( Or inhalational, but not occupation related) and lastly malignancy.
Correlation with patients esophagus and followup is suggested warranted.
What does groundglass mean ? Ground glass means a hazy appearance of a patch in lung. usually seen when there is a lack of air. ie air is replaced by blood, mucous,fluid,etc.
Problems - 6 mm is a bit big, multiple lesions doesn't make it easier too. So chances of a cancer has to be actively searched - either in lung / surroundings- like breast, esophagus, stomach etc.
Chances of it being a cancer increases with age, smoking history, and family history of cancers.
Correlation with espohagus is necessary to rule out a primary association of any tumours from esophagus.
Is this cancer?- Nothing diagnostic of cancer till now, but probability remains high. There are still possibilities of it being benign- causes i already listed.
I do recommend follow up with pulmonologist.
what can be done- A CAT guided biopsy / needle aspiration from the pleural based mass / bronchoscopic brushing from areas with ground glassing.
Alternatively a PET SCAN ( COSTLIER) can be done to find out if there are any cells in body requiring increased glucose uptake( USUALLY cancer / Active infections).
Hope this helps, would be glad to answer any follow-ups.
Regards
DR. JACOB GEORGE P
MD,FCCP